Spooky season is behind us, Philly, and looming ahead are cold days, warm comfort food, family gatherings, gift shopping…OK let’s keep things positive with cool things to do!

This week Lectures on Tap comes back to South Philly, these tickets move fast so check out all their listed events.

Speaking of imbibing-themed events whose tickets move fast, the Philly Mag Whiskey Festival is this week, and is not to be missed.

It’s a big week for art: William Way opens its 20th Annual Group Art Exhibition, the Museum for Art in Wood opens Donna Dodson: Match of the Matriarchs, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show returns for its 50th anniversary.

The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival opens this week with screenings citywide. And The Citizen proudly hosts a screening of the documentary In Pursuit Episode 9: Liberation (1968-1990). 

The Free Library Foundation Author Series welcomes Angela Nissel  and Jesse Wegman, while The Academy of Music welcomes Josh Johnson to the stage!

Curio Theatre presents a new interactive performance for the family with Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience.

In honor of Veteran’s Day, Philadelphia holds its annual parade up Ben Franklin Parkway, and the Museum of the American Revolution hosts a weekend of special events.

• • • • Things to do this week
      • Things to do this weekend
      • Ongoing things to do

Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further ahead? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN PHILLY

Lectures on Tap, William Way’s 20th Annual Group Art Exhibition, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Donna Dodson: Match of the Matriarchs, Free Library Author Series, Whiskey Fest

COME TO AN AUTHOR EVENT ABOUT A MOVING MEMOIR. The Free LIbrary Foundation Author Events Series presents Angela Nissel | Good Grief, Pass The Bread Mom is Dead, in Conversation with Tayyib Smith November 3 from 7 to 8pm. Nissel is a television writer, producer, and bestselling author who charts her unexpected role as her terminally ill mother’s caretaker. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of The Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street

DRINK AND SCIENCE. Well, just listen and learn science, don’t drink and do science. Instead come to Point Breeze November 3 at 6:30pm for Lectures on Tap — “The Science of Perception.” Explore the fascinating questions of: do we ever truly understand how other people see the world, and how do we know what’s even real with Professor Kareem Johnson at a local watering hole. $39.19. Location TBA upon reservation

LEARN ABOUT A FORGOTTEN FOUNDING FATHER. On November 4 from 7 to 8pm, The Free Library Foundation Author Events Series presents Jesse Wegman | The Lost Founder, in Conversation with Patrick Spero, Ph.D. New York Times journalist Wegman tells the story of James Wilson, a Founding Father who shaped American democracy but whose legacy was lost to scandal. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of The Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street. 

ATTEND WHISKEY FEST! Philadelphia Magazine’s Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival is happening November 5 from 6:30 to 9pm (5pm for VIPs) at The Linc. Over 250 spirits will be on deck for tasting, plus eats and entertainment. $57.37-$195.74 One Lincoln Financial Field Way

COME TO WILLIAM WAY’S GROUP ART EXHIBITION. Come to Huddle November 5 from 6 to 8pm for the opening reception of William Way’s 20th Annual Group Art Exhibition, showing the works of three artists selected from the William Way LGBT Community Center’s Annual Juried Art Exhibition, on view November 5 through December 10 by appointment. Free. 338 Brown Street

GO TO THE MOVIES. The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival opens November 5 through 15 with 75 films across nine venues plus panels, parties, and more. Opening night at Moore College hosts the world premiere of KIYOSHI, a new documentary about Philadelphia activist Kiyoshi Kuromiya. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of PAAFF. 18-300. Various locations.

CHALLENGE THE IDEA THAT CHESS IS A MASCULINE TEST OF INTELLECT. On November 6 from 5 to 8pm, the Museum for Art in Wood celebrates the opening of Donna Dodson: Match of the Matriarchs with a reception. The exhibition centers on an interactive chessboard featuring 32 life-size, movable chess pieces hand-carved from salvaged wood modeled on female archetypes and marine beings. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

Josh Johnson, Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show, Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience, Veteran’s Day Parade, Veterans Day 2026 at the Museum of the American Revolution, The Citizen screens In Pursuit Episode 9

LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF. This guy is hilarious. Catch stand-up comedian and occasional Daily Show Host Josh Johnson Live November 6 at 7pm and November 7 at 5 and 8:30pm at The Academy of Music. 65-209. 240 S. Broad Street

ATTEND THE BIGGEST CRAFT SHOW IN PHILLY. This year, 195 artists from across the United States are bringing unique, one-of-a-kind works for the The 50th annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show, November 6 through November 8, kicking off at 11am Friday until 7pm, 10am to 6pm Saturday, and 10am to 5pm Sunday. 5-25. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

BRING THE KIDS TO A PLAY INSPIRED BY AN AFRICAN FABLE. Curio Theatre Company presents Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience, suitable for those 3 and up, hands-on experience in the world of the Ashanti people’s history and lore. Open November 7 through 22 at for 11am and 1pm performances. 5-20. 4740 Baltimore Avenue

HONOR VETERANS AT A PARADE AND FESTIVAL. On November 8 from noon to 3:30pm, Philadelphia’s 12th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade marches up Ben Franklin Parkway and ends just past the Philadelphia Art Museum at Eakins Oval for the festival. It will also be televised on Channel 6. Free. From 21st Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

JOIN THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY. Veterans Day 2026 at the Museum includes free admission for currently serving military, veterans, and Blue Star Families, performances and special programs, and challenge coins. November 8 through 11 from 10am to 5pm. Free-$27. 101 S. 3rd Street

JOIN THE CITIZEN FOR A DOCUMENTARY SCREENING. Join The Philadelphia Citizen at The Filter Club November 9 at 5:30 for a happy hour and Citizen Movie Screening: In Pursuit, Episode 9, Liberation (1968-1990). This is a pivotal episode in Sam Katz’s documentary, traversing years of startling upheaval and profound struggle in the nation’s birthplace. $6.12. 1 South 24th Street

ONGOING EVENTS

Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.

GO TO SCARY JAIL. Philly’s landmark prison transforms annually into “a Halloween festival of epic proportions” complete with Al Capone’s Speakeasy, eerie flashlight hospital tour, and frightening performances. Check out Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, open through November 7. $49-$149. Parking and shuttle: $22 ($30 on site so buy online!) 2027 Fairmount Avenue

SEE THE PLAY THAT GAVE US THE FAMOUS PHRASE. Israel Zangwill’s 1908 play The Melting Pot returns to the Arch Street Meeting House through November 8 for 2pm, 3pm and 7pm performances. The once-famous play follows a young Jewish-Russian immigrant whose new life in America collides with his past. 20-38.75. 320 Arch Street 

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GRASSROOTS ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION. Through November 15, Philadelphia’s network of artist-run spaces, DIY venues, and community-based initiatives hosts Collective Futures, a collaboratively organized project bringing together more than 40 independent spaces and organizations across the city through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and public programs citywide. Many events are free; locations citywide

CHOOSE BETWEEN BROKEN BONES OR A BROKEN HEART. Theater Exile kicks off this season with the bizarre comedic love story Gruesome Playground Injuries, open through November 15 for afternoon and evening performances. 10-45. 1340-48 S. 13th Street

SPEND AN INTIMATE MAGICAL EVENING WITH COCKTAILS. I know, right? The Magicians Table invites the audience into the world of a fictional (and recently deceased) magician for illusions, live music, drinks, and extraordinary theater. Live at the SEI Innovation Studio in the Kimmel Center through November 22 for afternoon and evening performances. You must be 18 years or older to attend. 102-2381. 300 S. Broad Street

SEE A UNIQUE PHILLY PREMIERE. InterAct Theatre Company opens 39th Season with Jonathan Spector’s THIS MUCH I KNOW  through November 22 with performances at 2 and 7pm. Three actors play over a dozen different roles in a time-hopping fever dream, including Stalin’s daughter, Russian school girls and the son of an American white supremacist. 20-49. 302 S. Hicks Street

FIND MAGIC IN OLD CITY. The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour returns for the 2026 season through the fall tours at 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Attendees are treated to fun, mind-bending magic relevant to the historic and off-beat Old City locations on the tour. Philly Magic tours also partners with local charities on passes and group outings for fundraisers and free tours for deserving school classes. $32.40. Tours meet behind the Bourse near 4th and Ranstead streets

SEE A PULITZER-PRIZE WINNING DRAMA. Opening at Arden Theatre through December 13 for 2pm and 7pm performances, Topdog/Underdog is a tale of two brothers reckoning with destiny, resentment, and their future. 57-72. 40 N. 2nd Street

CHECK IN AT THE BEARDED LADIES’ HAIRPORT. Priority Hoarding: A Retrospectacle is an immersive exhibition inside a queer transit(ion) center. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 9pm, and Saturday from 11am to 3pm through December 19. $16-35. 444 N. 3rd Street

EXPLORE THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The American Philosophical Society’s These Truths: The Declarations of Independence tells the story of America’s founding through early Declaration printings and treasured artifacts. Open through January 3, 2027. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome. 104 S. 5th Street

COME TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLAY STUDIO’S BELOVED EXHIBITION. The Clay Studio celebrates the opening of 20th annual Small Favors, an exhibition of unique art in four-inch cubes, with a reception The exhibit runs through January 3, 2027. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 11am to 5:30pm and 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free. 1425 N. American Street

LEARN TAI CHI. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30am, Franklin Square Tai Chi Group meets next to the fountain (or in the Pavilion on chilly or wet days) for the ancient practice during Tai Chi in the Square. Free. 200 N. 6th Street

TAKE A FOOD JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTHWEST PHILLY. Stuff your face with Jamaican, West African, and Southern African American cuisines while walking it off on Woodland Avenue during your Africatown Food Tour, scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 10:30am and 1:30pm. $56. 5741 Woodland Avenue

MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY